Why Visual Breathing Room is the Secret to a Better Spring Clean

There’s something about spring in the UK that invites a reset. But in 2026, decluttering isn’t about an annual deep clean driven by guilt. It’s about embracing one of this year’s interior concepts, “visual breathing room.” As our spaces work harder than ever, supporting hybrid working, regular socialising and everyday downtime, homeowners are recognising that clear sightlines and thoughtfully edited surfaces aren’t just for aesthetics, they’re practical ones. Visual breathing room is an elevated approach to decluttering, placing an emphasis on wellness over chores. It reduces distraction, lowers stress and allows a space to function properly, carving out moments of calm in an otherwise busy, always on world.

Research from the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute found that visual clutter competes for our attention, reducing our ability to focus and process information. Alongside this, mental health charity, Mind has long highlighted the connection between environment and emotional wellbeing, noting that feeling more in control of your surroundings can positively affect stress and anxiety levels. When more than half of Brits report feeling overwhelmed by household clutter, the message is clear, our homes don’t just reflect our state of mind, they actively shape it.

The solution isn’t about hiding everything away though. It’s about rethinking how we use space. 

Below Jonathan Clark, Creative Director at Shelved shares insight into combining practicality with personality rather than choosing one over the other. He assures us that a spring reset can be something to enjoy.

The kitchen

In most UK households, the kitchen is used multiple times a day and often the hub of socialisation,  which means small inefficiencies quickly compound and clutter in a well used kitchen isn’t just visual, it slows you down.

Start by auditing your worktops, remove everything and only return items used daily. If something is used weekly or less, store it elsewhere. Research around habit formation shows that the easier a task feels, the more likely we are to repeat it, so keeping prep areas clear directly supports healthier cooking routines. A ‘tidy as you go’ approach is advice as old as time but tends to be a reliable way to keep on top of inevitable mess. 

Next, group by function rather than by category. Store breakfast items together, baking supplies together, and cleaning products in one contained zone, this reduces the mental load of searching and decision making.

Open shelving can work well in kitchens, but only if it’s curated. Limit each shelf to a defined purpose, for example, everyday crockery or glassware  and avoid overcrowding. Storage should remove friction, not create new visual noise. This is where well installed, properly weighted shelving makes a difference, allowing frequently used items to remain accessible without overwhelming the space.

“We’re seeing a real shift in how people think about decluttering,” says Jonathan. It’s no longer about stripping your home back to the bare minimum or hiding everything behind closed doors. Instead, homeowners are looking for ways to make their spaces work harder for them both practically and emotionally.”

The bedroom

Sleep specialists consistently point to our environment as a contributing factor in sleep quality. A bedroom filled with visible laundry, paperwork or miscellaneous storage subtly signals unfinished tasks, which can make it harder to mentally switch off.

Begin with surfaces. Bedside tables should hold only what directly supports rest, typically lighting, a book and perhaps a charging point. Everything else should be relocated.

Wardrobes should be reviewed seasonally. If an item hasn’t been worn in the past year, question whether it still serves you. Overfilled wardrobes increase decision fatigue, particularly during rushed mornings. Reducing volume makes dressing quicker and less stressful. If a full wardrobe reboot isn’t feasible consider a rotational system such as vacuum packing clothing away depending on the time of year.

If additional storage is required, opt for solutions that keep items off the floor and away from eye level. Wall mounted or enclosed storage maintains floor space and reduces visual clutter, both of which contribute to a calmer environment. You could also consider ottoman beds as an extension of bedroom storage.

The bathroom

Bathrooms are high use, small-footprint spaces making even minor clutter amplified and potentially overstimulating.

Remove all products from drawers and cabinets and check expiry dates. Dispose of anything out of date and consolidate duplicates. Most households overestimate how many toiletries they actively use and it can become a ritual to buy more during weekly shopping. 

Decanting frequently used products into matching containers creates visual cohesion and makes cleaning surfaces quicker. Keep daily essentials contained within a tray or single shelf rather than spread across multiple surfaces. 

Remember this space is also for relaxing and physically resetting and the environment should lend itself to that purpose. Elevating items off sinks and ledges makes the room easier to maintain and reduces the appearance of overcrowding. The goal is efficiency: everything accessible, nothing excessive.

The living room

Living rooms accumulate items gradually, post, chargers, remote controls, decorative pieces  and without boundaries, surfaces become default storage zones.

Start with shelving and coffee tables. Remove everything, then reintroduce items selectively. Limit decorative groupings to odd numbers and allow visible gaps between objects. Negative space is not empty and there is always the option to alternate and rearrange regularly, if interior design is important, which can feel like a small redecoration in itself.

Address cable management directly. Visible wires are one of the most common sources of perceived clutter. Use cable organisers or concealed hubs to remove them from sight.

If open shelving or mantlepieces are a focal point, assign each shelf a purpose before styling it. For example, books only, or display pieces only. Mixed-purpose shelves often become overcrowded. 

However, shelf styling can be fun and fashion forward with the right planning, checking out the curated clutter trend on Pinterest to help you to achieve a stylish shelf without compromising your wellbeing. 

Well planned storage should support how the room is used, whether that’s hosting, reading or relaxing rather than simply holding excess items.

The home office

Studies on workplace productivity show that visual distractions reduce concentration and increase task switching. The same principles apply at home.

Keep your desk surface limited to daily use items only. Everything else should have a defined storage location. Paperwork should be digitised where possible or stored vertically in clearly labelled files.

Introduce a weekly reset habit. Spending 10 minutes at the end of the week clearing your desk prevents gradual build-up and maintains a sense of control.

Your home office storage should prioritise accessibility and weight distribution. Frequently referenced materials should be within arm’s reach, archived documents should be stored higher or lower as functional placement reduces micro interruptions during the workday. The aim isn’t minimalism for appearance’s sake, it’s reducing cognitive load to aid with productivity and contribute in avoiding burnout. 

“Spring is always a natural reset point, but we’re seeing more people treat decluttering as a form of self-care, says Jonathan. It’s about creating an environment that supports focus, rest and connection. And often, the biggest transformation doesn’t come from redecorating, it comes from rethinking how you use the space you already have.”

Top photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash